Welcome to the 2024 Gallery
Images are in reverse chronological order based on the most recent awards.
Intertwined
Dancers: Katherine Nettles & Antony Reyes
School: UNCSA BFA
Created: 2024
Katherine and Antony are an inspiration. They are excellent dancers who have spent three years at UNCSA dancing together. The twisty shape and the interaction they have are stunning. They arrived with the initial idea set, but it took a lot of thinking and testing to work out the final form that enabled Antony to have an elegant leg line while keeping the interaction and beautiful sculptural lines—and a secure base for Katherine.
Awards
- PPNC 2024: Merit Image (color version)
- IV Awards 2024: Excellence Award & Third Place in Figure Studies
- B&W Spider Awards 2024: Nomination
- ASP/IoD 2024: Seal of Distinction
Metamorphosis
Dancer: Lauren Tenney
Teaching: Cary Ballet
Created: 2024
Lauren came in to celebrate taking her final bow as she started teaching at Cary Ballet. This particular image was very true to the title. We started wanting to do a jump, and then added a skirt, followed by a second skirt. We decided to make it a back shot, and ended up somewhere beautiful that, on the surface, has nothing to do with where we began. Coupled with her transition from performance to education and the butterfly look (perhaps with a little Georgia O’Keeffe overtone), the title seemed perfect.
Awards
- PPNC 2024: NC Excellence
- IV Awards 2024: Merit in Dance Photography
- 3rd Place in Dance Photography Category
- NC Artists Exhibition 2024: Accepted in Show
- ASP/IoD 2024: Seal of Distinction
Contemporary Dance Avalanche
Dancers: The Pluck Project 2024
School: UNCSA BFA
Created: 2023
Working with the UNCSA Pluck Project each year is such an inspiration. These contemporary dancers are incredibly talented, and seeing where their collective vision for their group photos takes them is always a surprise in the best possible way. I met with them beforehand to discuss a color palette and landed on skin tone tops for the ladies, bare-chested tops for the men, and jeans. Getting everyone seen was a bit of a challenge, but it was all captured in a single shot. They are masterful!
Awards
- ASP/IoD 2024: Seal of Distinction
- PPNC 2024: Merit Image
Remorse
Dancer: Garrett Lucero
School: International Ballet Academy
Created: 2024
When you have a dance/choreographer with a passion for theatrical makeup and a particular focus on horror, you get something like this. Garrett is truly a gem of a dancer, but he wanted to do something less dancy and more emotional. The theme of his work was about how pushing emotions down tears you up inside until…
Awards
- IV Awards 2024: Accepted to Show
A Little Bit Country…
Dancer: Peyton Briggs
School: Maryland Youth Ballet
Created: 2024
Working with Peyton was so much fun. She came with a distinct love of fashion and a fondness for Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. Celebrating both her dance and senior year, we combined the two to make a nod to some of the images of Beyoncé from her album promotion. The tutu makes a nice transition from the cowboy top to the ballerina bottom, while maintaining a beautiful senior portrait look.
Awards
- IV Awards 2024: Accepted in Show
Bird of Prey
Dancer: Ellen Smith
School: Cary Ballet
Created 2023
Ellen is a thoughtfully creative soul who truly sculpts an image. We worked the arm lines for a little while to craft something exquisite. The shape made creating a title so easy. The raptor-esque arm line and the way the front foot curves like a talon are spot-on. After the fact, little things just added to the vibe, like the scar on her knee. As of 2024, Ellen is dancing with the Nevada Ballet Theater.
Awards
- IV Awards 2024: Excellence Award
- First Place in Dance Photography Category
- IIC 2024: Gold Award in Dance Portraits
- First Place in Dance Photography
- Top-100 across all photos
- ASP/IoD 2024: Seal of Approval
Rendezvous
Dancers: Calista Loftis & Elize Helbig
School: UNC Charlotte Dance
Created: 2024
This single image is a reworked version of the storytelling set, “Stolen Moment”. Calista and Elize were exceptional in creating this series, and this one image stood out. They are fun to work with, both individually and as a team, and you can see the benefits of being dance partners for over three years.
Awards
- IV Awards 2024: Excellence in Minimalism
Coming to Terms (Series of 4)
Dancer: Sadie Grace Shelburne
School: USC Kaufman School of Dance
Created: 2024
You could easily forget to press the shutter while watching Sadie Grace move. Organic and intentional, and often other-worldly, she interacts with the open space in a truly artistic way. This series was created through some limited improvisation—riffing on an idea and a shape. It was the perfect series, and an ideal candidate for the IV Awards! We are delighted that the judges also appreciated her work.
Awards
- IV Awards 2024: Merit Award in Stories
Stolen Moment (Series of 4)
Dancers: Calista Loftis & Elize Helbig
School: UNC Charlotte Dance
Created: 2024
I’ve worked with Calista for years, and once she got to the dance department at UNC Charlotte, I was introduced to Elize. While the images may connote a romantic relationship, that’s not the case. They do, however, have an incredible ability to work their emotions for the camera. We were playing with very minimal lighting, and this little gap between the black flats. I love this little story that they tell.
Awards
- IV Awards 2024: Merit in Stories
Country Glam
Title: Country Glam — 2024
Dancer: Peyton Briggs
School: Maryland Youth Ballet
Created: 2024
Peyton was all about the style and channeling her inner Beyoncé during her creative retreat. This was the second of two wonderfully unique images that were featured in the IV Awards in 2024. “A Little Bit Country…” is a bit further up in the gallery.
Awards
- IV Awards 2024: Merit in Portraits
Indomitable Spirit
Dancer: Stella Adamson
School: International Ballet Academy
Created: 2023
Crafting the jump with Stella was a lot of fun. The arms were a complete unknown and went through several iterations. What I truly love about this is how much of her personality comes through. That fierceness was perfectly channeled through the strong front arm and the somewhat sassy hand to hip.
Awards
- IV Awards 2024: Merit in Dance Portraits
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Dance Photography
Light and Lines
Dancer: Olivia Renegar
School: UNCSA HS
Created: 2021
This image was created as part of a collaboration with the ISFD INNOVATION+DESIGN furniture show. I was immediately drawn to this stunning six-foot pendant lamp and knew I wanted to showcase it in an unexpected, artistic way.
Olivia brought such grace and power to the concept. The idea was for her to appear as though she were supporting the lamp—without ever touching it. The resulting image was everything I hoped for and more. It even went on to win the People’s Choice Award at the show!
Awards
- IV Awards 2024: Merit in Product Photography
- Pas de Deux 2022: 4th Place Teen Dancers
- People’s Choice: Innovation+Design 2021
Pulling Back
Dancer: Julianna Brown
School: UNCSA BFA
Created: 2024
Julianna came back for a retreat before starting college at UNCSA. What I love about this is the sharp architecture that also feels curved, and the way her head is softly upon her knee. There is a vertical aspect (head right above the foot), but also a distinct pulling back.
Awards
- IV Awards 2024: Merit in Monochrome Portraits
The Journey
Dancer: Meredith Taylor
SC Governor’s School for Art
Created: 2024
Meredith is a beautiful soul and a creative dancer. This was to be the end of her dance career, and we sent it off with a bang. What none of us knew then was that dance still had one more chapter for her, and she was grateful for the chance to step back on stage.
Dance, like any art, is a journey. You must enjoy every moment because you never know when it will end unexpectedly, or when opportunities will take you by surprise.
Awards
- IV Awards 2024: Accepted in Show
- ASP/IoD 2024: Seal of Approval
Plumb Line
Dancer: Bea Wilson
School: SC Governor’s School for Art
Created: 2023
Bea’s Creative Dance Retreat was the culmination of years of dancing, which continues while pursuing her degree in college. She is a beautiful mover, but this image stuck out during the day. First of all, it is one of the very few one-and-done images at the studio. But the way it all reads was sublime, which made it a competition image.
Awards
- Spider Awards 2024: Nominee
- ASP/IoD 2024: Seal of Approval
- PPNC 2024: NC Excellence
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Figure Studies
- Second Runner-up in Figure Studies
Finding Balance in an Out-of-Balance World
Dancer: Garrett Lucero
School: International Ballet Academy
Created: 2023
Garrett always brings a deeply thoughtful process to his movement. We worked this one for a while until the hands had just the right feel for what he wanted. The title originated from the fact that there was a lot of uncertainty about where he would go after high school and what his career might look like. Yet despite all the variables, he maintains a beautiful poise.
Awards
- Spider Awards 2024: Nominee
- PPNC 2024: NC Excellence
- ASP/IoD 2024: Seal of Approval (color version)
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Dance Photography (color version)
Taking the High Road
Dancer: Amaya LaShaye
UNCSA BFA
Created: 2022
Amaya came to the studio with the Pluck Project group retreat in 2022 to create a portfolio. This was one of the images that you know is special the moment it happens. This image was accepted into the 2023 NC Artists Exhibition and sold on opening night. The buyer said that she needed this image in her home because she knows precisely how the dancer feels. What more can you want?
Awards
- Spider Awards 2024: Nominee
- PX3 2024: Bronze Award
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Storytelling Portraits
- IPC 2024: Gold Award
- NC Artists Exhibition 2023: Accepted in Show & Sold
- PPNC 2023: NC Excellence
Breezing By
Dancer: Audrey Malek
Company: Pacific Northwest Ballet
Created: 2023
Audrey was the professional model for Tutu.com for 2023 & 2024. We created this during her creative retreat after the catalog photoshoot. Audrey’s stage presence and model background finish her stunning lines.
Awards
- ASP/IOD 2024: Seal of Distinction
- PPNC 2024: NC Excellence
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Dance Photography
Enablement
Dancer: Grace Bethune & Ashtynn Babb
School: UNCSA BFA
Created: 2024
We had a special retreat just for contemporary partnering with the 2024 Pluck Project. Ashtynn and Grace were amazing in this image, working the details and getting the form just right. The title came from the sense that Grace is much more aggressive, but can only be so because of the much more resigned role Ashtynn plays in the sculpture.
Awards
- ASP/IOD 2024: Seal of Approval + Judge’s Choice
- PPNC 2024: Merit Image
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Portraits (submitted as “Support System”)
Farewell
Dancer: Eliza
School: Cary Ballet
Created: 2023
Eliza had great stage presence even at an early age. Her ability to sell an emotion is really incredible. When she came back to update her audition package, we had to create a few additional pieces. The line through the front leg is beautiful, but the soft arm and facial expression are the whole photo. The skirt even cooperated and followed her arm line nearly perfectly.
Awards
- ASP/IOD 2024: Seal of Approval
- PPNC 2024: Merit Image
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Portraits
After the Storm
Dancer: Peyton Lilly Bond
Company: South Carolina Ballet
Created: 2023
Peyton loved this skirt and wanted a big leg, and asked for drama. So we pulled the lights behind her and had her only illuminated behind the skirt. The lines are gorgeous, and I love the contemplation and ease she has in her face. Peyton has been a joy to work with each time, and I’m excited to see how her career unfolds.
Awards
- ASP/IOD 2024: Seal of Approval
- PX3 2024: Honorable Mention
- Color Awards 2024: Nominee
- IIC 2024: Gold Award in Dance Photography
- First Runner-up in Dance Photography
Aspiration
Dancer: Gracie
School: Cary Ballet
Created: 2023
Gracie has an understated elegance to everything she does. The lines and shape here flowed from the fabulous leotard (which had just arrived at the studio). The elegance of her arms and hands is a fabulous counterpoint to the energy of her legs. The stare off into the distance with the upward gaze made coming up with a title easy.
Awards
- ASP/IOD 2024: Seal of Approval
- PPNC 2024: Merit Image
- IIC 2024: Gold Award in Portraits
Atlas
Dancer: Nik Darrough
School: UNCSA BFA
Created: 2022
Nik has extraordinary physicality and body control to form exquisite shapes. This was part of the Pluck 2023 portfolio retreat at the studio. The symmetry that he was able to create is off the rails.
Awards
- ASP/IOD 2024: Seal of Approval
- IIC 2024: Bronze Award
- PPNC 2023: NC Excellence
Art in Flight
Dancer: Mia
School: Southeast School of Dance
Created: 2022
We did a group retreat with 6 dancers of Southeast School of Dance to have some fun and create some artwork for their new studio space. Mia was graduating and heading off to college, so these are her senior dance photos. While this marked the end of her dance education, I’m sure dance will continue to infuse her life.
Awards
- ASP/IOD 2024: Seal of Approval
- PPNC 2024: NC Excellence
Esmerelda
Dancer: Audrey Malek
Company: Pacific Northwest Ballet
Created: 2024
I think Audrey is really at her best when you just give a little direction and let her have fun with it. At her core, she is an incredibly talented ballerina, and she accents that with her modeling experience. Every detail is meticulously done, and she exudes emotion through her facial expressions. She does a masterful job channeling Esmerelda here in a powerful yet flirty, don’t-care way.
Awards
- Fine Arts League of Cary: Accepted in Show
Helix
Dancer: Amanda
School: Greensboro Ballet
Created: 2024
Amanda came in to celebrate her senior year with family and a leotard or two. Amanda created such a beautifully soft moment here, accentuating the spiral of the leotard. I love that stray tress trailing down that frames her face, too!
Awards
- PPNC 2024: Merit Image
Arsenic & Old Lace
Dancer: Colby Foss & Nadine Barton
Company: Charlotte Ballet
Created: 2022
Having Colby and Nadine in the studio together was pure creative overload. Colby is generally game for anything, and Nadine’s creativity is off the rails. I had a vintage dress and she had a Victorian collar—and the rest is history. We shot so many variations on this—where they were looking, exactly how their legs aligned, and so forth. An absolutely wonderful day in the studio!
Awards
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Monochrome Portraits
- Second Runner-up in Monochrome Portraits
- PPNC 2023: NC Excellence
Confidence
Dancer: Garrett Lucero
School: International Ballet Academy
Created: 2023
Garrett has created a few award-winning photos, further up the scroll. His presence and incredible lines are on full display here. There isn’t much more to say, other than wow! Always great to work with you, Garrett!
Awards
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Monochrome Portraits
- First Place in Monochrome Portraits
Departure
Dancer: Chloe Webster
School: UNCSA HS
Created: 2023
Chloe essentially grew up in the studio throughout high school, which was an absolute honor to be part of. This image was created as she was finishing up her Junior year. The curve of the upper hand and the flex of the lower are both symmetrical and opposing in a wonderful way; the jump and her expressivity are spot-on!
Awards
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Dance Photography
No Option to Retreat
Dancer: Maggie Gragg
School: Ann Freeman Dance Academy
Created: 2023
Maggie is an effervescent soul, but you wouldn’t guess that here. You’ll see that much more in “And All That Sass”. The primary purpose of our retreat was to photograph some accessories, but we had to have a little more creativity for the day. We experimented with using the boards to create interest. This little moment, like she’s backed to the end of a hall, but still confident, captured my attention.
Awards
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Dance Photography
Split Down the Middle
Dancer: Seth Roberts
School UNCSA HS
Created: 2023
Seth was a high school senior when we created this, and I’ve been privileged to continue to see him dance and grow in college. I remember the initial jump and it was interesting, but it was clear that there was something more special to be had. I asked if he could pull over and get that hand centered and he said, “sure,” and the rest is history.
Awards
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Dance Photography
Trust
Dancer: Grace & Bryson
School: International Ballet Academy
Created: 2023
Grace and Bryon came back for one last retreat before heading to NYC and separate programs. The two of them are simultaneously a comedy team (Grace is the straight-woman) and focused artists. It has been an honor to have them in the studio and see their growth, and I’m proud of where they’ve gone, even though it means it may be a while until they are in my studio again.
Awards
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Dance Photography
Uplifted
Dancer: Maddie Pineda Bender
Created: 2024
I met Maddie on a sweltering hot day in NYC for an outdoor photoshoot in Schurz Park. She is a beautiful and powerful mover with emotion to spare and stunning lines and control. I was thrilled when we could work together again in my studio (she was choreographing at UNCSA). The energy is incredible here; pulling upward as if being dragged up while her complete focus is grounded.
Awards
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Dance Photography
At One with the Music
Dancer: Maddie Pineda Bender
Created: 2024
The second of two images with Maddie. I loved the lighting setup where she’s dancing on the edge of the top-light, placing just enough light into her face to feel that she’s completely lost in the moment.
Awards
- IIC 2024: Bronze Award in Dance Photography
Verticality
Dancer: Ellen Smith
School: Cary Ballet
Created: 2024
This is the second of two amazing images with Ellen. The light from one side sculpts everything, and her lines are gorgeous toe to toe—bonus points for the complete nonchalance of her facial expression.
Awards
- IIC 2024: Silver Award in Dance Photography
And All That Sass
Dancer: Maggie Gragg
School: Ann Freeman Dance Academy
Created: 2023
We started flicking the dress to create movement, and Maggie took over from there, adding a sly look back and beautiful lines. We created this when she was a high school senior, and it wasn’t clear how dance would be part of her college life. Naturally, she found a dance minor program and has kept dance an integral part of her life.
Awards
- IIC 2024: Bronze Award in Dance Photography
Edge of the Light
Dancer: Jillian Clements
School: Cary Ballet
Created: 2023
This was the first of many time that Jillian and I worked together. After creating her audition package she was ready to create image just for herself. This Tutu.com tutu fit her so well, and we went for something very edgy with the back-shot and top light, which just enough light to see her legs. I love how it creates the impression on leaving the light.
Awards
- IIC 2024: Bronze Award in Dance Photography
Explore Past Inspiration Galleries
Each gallery celebrates the dancers and images that earned awards in juried competitions that year—offering a glimpse into the artistry, individuality, and creative collaboration behind every frame.